Michigan Economic Development Corporation announces $5.9 million for Flint site
LANSING, Mich. (Jan. 30, 2024) — Sen. John Cherry (D-Flint) echoed his support for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s approval of $5.9 million to fund improvements to the Flint Commerce Center (former Buick City) site in Flint. This money was part of $87.5 million in grant funding approved for 18 projects across the state of Michigan through the Strategic Site Readiness Program (SSRP) to support the state’s efforts to compete for and win transformative projects.
“I applaud the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s decision to allocate $5.9 million for resolving a crucial storm sewer issue at Buick City,” said Sen. Cherry. “Overcoming this obstacle has been instrumental in advancing the redevelopment of Flint’s largest brownfield site, and I look forward to the economic opportunities its completion will bring to Flint and Genesee County.”
As the former Buick City site in Flint, the Flint Commerce Center is a major brownfield site that has been submitted to many potential employers. This project will significantly improve the marketability of the site by mitigating some of the serious risks identified by potential users who have chosen other sites. Site preparation includes removal of underground utilities, concrete slabs and foundations, and updating the sewer system.
“Brownfield redevelopment is not an easy task, but it is crucial to the success of communities like Flint, and we are grateful that our partners at the State of Michigan understand this,” said Tyler Rossmaessler, executive director of the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance, in a press release issued from MEDC yesterday. “When complete, the Flint Commerce Center will create new jobs, attract new business, generate new tax revenue, and — equally important — create a new narrative for a property that has been underutilized for far too long. The Strategic Site Readiness Program is critical in achieving this success as it will support infrastructure improvements that are necessary in attracting new business and investment to this site, city, and region.”
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